How does one calculate the heat generated by a force of friction with respect to time?Let's stick with constant mass and assume that we know everything but heat.

A very simple model: a mass m, moving at constant velocity v, on a level surface, with an applied constant force F and kinetic friction f acting in the opposite direction:

In this case the power of the applied force is F.v (which here is just F*v) and, by conservation of energy, the only energy transfer is to the internal energy of the block/floor. Hence the 'heat generated' with repect to time is just F*v - in Watts.

I think this is correct. Hope this helps. Or is it too simple a model?

Staff: Mentor

If you're pulling an object but the friction of the floor is stronger than you (hence, no movement -> no work), does the object/floor still warm up a little bit?

If it doesn't, where is the energy (which you're consuming in the futile effort of pulling the object) dissipated?

Biochemical energy is expended just clenching muscles. A compressed spring, on the other hand, doesn't expend energy to exert a static force. So you could say that your energy efficiency is zero when applying a static force.

Biochemical energy is expended just clenching muscles. A compressed spring, on the other hand, doesn't expend energy to exert a static force. So you could say that your energy efficiency is zero when applying a static force.